Published: Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 3:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 11:50 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH — Ross Chastain is one of many new faces at this Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.

Facts

Ross Chastain

Fun Facts

• Tenth-generation farmer with the original Pierre Chastain coming from France in 1700.

• Got beat by his little brother, Chad, in the Edison Festival of Light 5K by one second

• Raises purebred Limousin cattle

• Learned to drive a stick shift — a 1973 Jeep — when he was 7

• Played soccer from elementary school through high school until racing became more important

The 21-year-old NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver from Alva — near Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of Florida — will be driving the No. 19 Ford owned by 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.

“It's pretty cool to say that to people,” Chastain said. “He's no different away from the camera and racetrack. Brad knows what he's doing. He understands NASCAR. He knows what you have to do to be successful in this sport.”

What makes Chastain stand out from the rest of the youngsters in Friday's NextEra Energy Resources 250 is his sponsor — the National Watermelon Association.

The NWA will be on Chastain's truck for five races this season. It is impossible not to spot the No. 19 on the track. It has watermelons all over it.

“My sponsor?” Chastain said. “Watermelons. We have different state chapters of the association sponsoring the truck for different races.

<p><b>DAYTONA BEACH —</b> Ross Chastain is one of many new faces at this Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.</p><p>The 21-year-old NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver from Alva — near Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of Florida — will be driving the No. 19 Ford owned by 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.</p><p>“It's pretty cool to say that to people,” Chastain said. “He's no different away from the camera and racetrack. Brad knows what he's doing. He understands NASCAR. He knows what you have to do to be successful in this sport.”</p><p>What makes Chastain stand out from the rest of the youngsters in Friday's NextEra Energy Resources 250 is his sponsor — the National Watermelon Association.</p><p>The NWA will be on Chastain's truck for five races this season. It is impossible not to spot the No. 19 on the track. It has watermelons all over it.</p><p>“My sponsor?” Chastain said. “Watermelons. We have different state chapters of the association sponsoring the truck for different races.</p><p>“I can't wait to race at Daytona. I'm really excited.”</p>